Orizaba, Mexico 19th-20th century

Editor: Here we have Denman Waldo Ross's "Orizaba, Mexico", held at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small watercolor, and I'm really drawn to the way the bright colors capture the light. What stands out to you? Curator: This watercolor offers a glimpse into labor and everyday life in Orizaba. Ross's use of the medium itself is key – watercolor's portability enabled on-site documentation of these scenes, subtly intertwining the act of artistic creation with observation of local processes. Notice how the hanging cloth is rendered, almost mimicking the art-making process. What does that suggest to you? Editor: So, the painting's about painting itself, but also the labor of the people depicted? Curator: Exactly. It blurs the lines between art, documentation, and lived experience. By considering the means of production, we see how this seemingly simple landscape engages with broader questions of material culture. Editor: I hadn't considered the connection between the medium and the subject like that. Thanks!